Water cannon

ABSTRACT

A water cannon for use on land or in the water. Water inlets may be opened to fill the container and closed so that the container may be moved from the water source for use. Construction of the apparatus is such that it will float when used in a water environment. The design of a compression cylinder, barrel and nozzle is such that maximum distance may be achieved with a droplet size that will not be injurious to those who use the apparatus.

United States Patent 1191 Ware [ WATER CANNON [76] Inventor: Paul C. Ware, 6880 Excelsior Blvd.,

Minneapolis, Minn. 55426 22 Filed: May 21,1973 211 Appl. No.3 362,509

[52] U.S. Cl 222/79, 222/340, 222/382, 222/383, 124/15, 124/37, 220/36, 220/41 [51] Int. Cl A63h 33/00 Field of Search 222/79, 340, 341, 382, 222/383; 124/15, 37; 9/1 R, 31]; 220/36, 41

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS [111 3,823,847 [451 July 16, 1974 3,116,855 1/1964 Thomson 222/340 X 3,318,482 5/1967 Voce 222/79 3,372,412 3/1968 Robertson 9/311 Primary Examiner-Robert B. Reeves Assistant Examiner-Joseph J. Rolla Attorney, Agent, or Firm-D0rsey, Marquart, Windhorst, West & Halladay [5 7] ABSTRACT A water cannon for use on land or in the water. Water inlets may be opened to fill the container and closed so that the container may be moved from the water source for use. Construction of the apparatus is such that it will float when used in a water environment. The design of a compression cylinder, barrel and nozzle is such that maximum distance may be achieved with a droplet size that will not be injurious to those who use the apparatus.

6 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures PATENTEDJUL 1 6 m4 sum 30: s I

WATER. CANNON BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Various water dispensing guns have been proposed in the past with most being hand held and having a very limited water supply. Those types having a higher volume requiring an outside water source have been limited to use either on land or in the water. Some hand held guns are simply adaptations of conventional water guns with a water source remote from the gun. Others require elaborate back pack designs and complicated internal structure. Similarly, guns for use in the water in the past have utilized the pressurized water supply readily available and are generally characterized by complex structure.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Applicants invention, on the other hand, is a simple, noncomplex water cannon which is readily adaptable for use either on the land or in the water. It utilizes simple hydraulic function in a precise design to assure a minimum of movable parts, repeated ease of operation and maximum safety to those in the vicinity of the user. The force expelling the water may be manual, spring actuated or electrically trans'duced. Provision is made to assure that the device will float when used in water and is stable when usedon land. A plurality of water inlets may be providedfor filling the container when used on land. 1

A final embodiment is shown which comprises a recreational vehicle which can be used on larger bodies of water.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a side elevational view partly in section and partly broken away showing one embodiment of my invention;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view partly in section and partly broken away showing a second embodiment of my invention;

FIG. 3 is an expanded elevational view partly broken away of the handle, trigger mechanism and spring loaded hydraulic cylinder of the embodiment shown in FIG. 2; and v FIG. 4 shows a third embodiment of my invention which comprises a water cannon with a hull and motive means for use on the surface of the water.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Basically, the structure which ismy invention may be used on the land, in the water, or on the water. Two

embodiments for expelling water are shown in FIGS. 1

and 2.

The apparatus comprises a container 11 which may be of any shape but is shown as a sphere. The bottom 12 of ,the sphere is flattened or leveled for stability when used on land.

Fixedly secured to the top 14 of the container such as by a threaded cap 16 or connection 18 is the gun portion 20 of my water cannon 24. A suction inlet tube 26 is connected to the gun portion 20 and extends from the bottom 12 of the container 11 to the top. It includes a one-way valve 28 interposed at an intermediate position to assure flow from the bottom 12 of the container 11 to the gun 20 only. As shown in FIG. 1 the one-way valve 28 is a ball check valve 30 which'is threadably secured to first and second portions, 32' and 33 respectively, of the inlet suction tube 26.

Water inlet means 36 are located in the bottom portion of the container 11 to fill the container 11 for use on land. Although one inlet 36 is sufficient, a plurality of inlet apertures 38are preferably circumferentially disposed around the periphery of the lower one-half of the container. It should also be understood, however, that for use solely on land no inlets 36 are necessary and water can be filled through the top of the container 1 l Means 43 are also provided, as shown in FIG. 1, to close the water inlet means 36 after the container 11 is filled prior to removing it from the water. The embodiment in FIG. 1 employs a connected lever assembly 48 which is pivotally 46 secured to the top portion 33 of the suction inlet tube 26. At an intermediate point on the lever 52 a tied rod 54 is pivotally connected 60 having an eyelet 63 at the bottom endof the vertically disposed rod 54. Connected to the eyelet 63 are connecting links 66 which can be constructed of any suitably flexible material. As shown in FIG. 1, three link chains 69, 70, 71am utilized.

Attached to the other end of the connecting links are the sealing mechanisms 74 which comprise levered v doors 78. The closure means 74 may be pivotally con nected at the bottom thereof on mounting brackets 82 to the container 11 by providing counter levers 84 extending in the same general plane as the doors 78 below the pivotal point 82. Thereafter when the lever 84 is rotated the, connecting rod 54 tensions the connecting links. 69, 70,, 71 pivoting the doors 78 through the counter levers 84 into a closed position. A seal 88 is provided around the periphery of the door 78 which, in conjunction with the weight and thus pressure of the water in the container 11, assure a proper closure.

The upper portion of the container 91 is preferably filled with polystyrene foam 93 for floatation purposes when the water cannon 24 is utilized in the water.

Suction and expulsion means 98 are provided in the embodimentshown in FIG. 1 by a manually operated hydraulic cylinder 99. A handle I04 suitable for either a child or an adult is integrally attached-to an hydraulic ram 106 having O-ring seals 108 to alternatively establish a vacuum to draw water into the cylinder and to provide sufficient force to expel the fluid out of the gun 20.

At an intermediate point along the barrel 111 between the cylinder 99 and the nozzle 114, located forward of the inlet suction tube 26, isa second one-way valve 118. As shown in FIG. 1 the second one-way valve 118 is also a ball check valve 121 which is normally closed when the vacuum is created by retraction of the ram 106 from the hydraulic cylinder 99 and opens when force is applied to the ram 106 to drive it inward in order to expel the water.

At the terminal end of the barrel 111 a nozzle is provided which is precisely matched to the barrel .1 11 size and cylinder 99 size to assure a suitable distance for expulsion of the water but-having a droplet size and force which will not be injurious to the eyes of small children.

In practice, cylinder 99, barrel 1 11 and nozzle 114 sizes is similar to that shown in FIG. 1 and is numbered accordingly.

Variations include the water inlet closure means 74, the one-way check valves 28, 118, the expelling means 98 and the angle of the gun with reference to horizontal. As shown in FIG. 2, an alternative structure for closing the water inlet means 74 may comprise a circular strip 120 having an outer diameter 122 compatible with the inner diameter 123 of the container 11. The strip 120 preferably contains a number of apertures 126 located circumferentially in alignment with the apertures 38 in the container 11. As shown in the drawing the upper end lower edges of the apertures 38 may be turned inward to provide a track for the circumferential strip 120, the edges of which should be'turned inward to maintain alignment of the circumferential strip 120 with the apertures 38. The seal 88 may then surround the apertures 38 between the aforesaid edges.

' Securely attached in spaced relation to the trailing edge of at least one of the apertures 38 should be a peg 130 which may be pulled to rotate the circumferential strip 120, thereby closing all apertures 38 with one movement. As with the earlier embodiment, the seal 88 is provided to assure nonleakage.

One-way clapper valves 28, 118 comprising a rubber clapper mechanism 134 and washers 136 constructed of rubber or any other suitable material may be utilized to assure proper direction of flow. These may be used to replace and .will serve the same function as the ball check valves 30, 121 discussed above and shown in FIG. 1.

Also as shown in FIG. 2 the barrel 111 of the gun 20 may be inclinded at an angle of approximately twenty degrees. This provides a greater distance of travel of the expelled water at the same force as the apparatus shown in FIG. 1.

Trigger actuated, spring loaded expulsion means 100 are best shown in FIG. 3. A hollow hydraulic ram 106 similar to the ram 106 shown in FIG. 1 is provided with an Q-ring seal 108 to create and maintain the vacuum for suction and for expelling the liquid. Located internally in the hollow chamber 139 of the ram 106.is a spring mechanism 142 which abuts on the rearward end an internal cylinder 144 having an outer diameter 146 less than the inner diameter 148 of the chamber 139 of the ram 106. A suitable cavity 150 surrounding the internal cylinder 144 is provided in the interior of the handle 104 to allow maximum rearward travel of the ram 106 into the handle 104 of the gun 20.

Securely attached to the exterior of the ram 106 isa bolt mechanism 152 which extends through an aperture 154 in the casing-and which can be laterally retracted to compress the spring 142. A notch 156 is provided at the rearward end of the bolt aperture 154 to cock the bolt 152 after the spring 142 has been com- I pressed. A simple trigger mechanism 158 is pivoted on the forward end 160 thereof so that when the trigger 158 is pulled the upper surface 160 of the trigger mechanism 158 forces the bolt 152 out of the bolt lock aperture 156 to release'the spring 142.

As in the first embodiment, retraction of the cylinder 106 with the bolt mechanism 152 creates a vacuum and draws water into the cylinder 106. Thereafter, a rearward movement of the trigger 158 releases the cylinder 1.06 and water is expelled due to forward movement of the cylinder 106 due to the pressure of the spring 142.

The third embodiment of my invention is shown in hull 171 for floatage in the water. Motive means 173 may be provided which are shown to be a propulsion pump or water wheel 174 which may be peddled in either direction. Steering means 176 may be a conventional rudder (not shown) attached to a driving wheel 178 as shown. Also as shown in FIG. 3, a suitable seat 180 for the operator may be provided. The water gun 20 should perform essentially as those discussed above.

As shown in FIG. 4, a small electrically operated transducer 184 may be utilized in lieu of the manually operated cylinder 99 or the spring loaded cylinder 100 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. The transducer 184 operates upon the pull of the trigger 158 to force a suitable amount of water fromthe container 11 through check valves 28, 118 and out the nozzle 114 as previously described. Water inlets 36 are provided extending from the cylinder 11 to the exterior of the boat and, since they will be under water at all times, no closure means 43 are necessary. In addition, water inlet 184 and outlet 185 orifices should be provided in the bottom of the hull 171 of the boat to supply the motive means 173 indicated above. I

In general, while I have described specific embodiments ofmy invention, it is to be understood that this is for purposes of illustration only and that various modifications can be made within the scope of my invention. I i

I claim:

1. A water cannon comprising;

a container having a top and bottom;

an'inlet suction tube including a one-way check valve extending from the bottom of said container to the top thereof;

a water gun attached to the top of said inlet suction tube comprising;

a barrel attached to said inlet suction tube,

suction and expulsion means attached to the rearward end of said barrel,

anozzleattached to the forward end of said barrel,

a one-way check valve disposed in said barrel forward from the top of the inlet suction tube and rearward of the nozzle;

a water inlet located adjacent the bottom of the container for filling the container with water; and

internal closure means operatively positioned relative to the water inlet adjacent to the bottom half of the container for closing the water inlet partially extending through the container to effectuate closure so that the water does not leak out of the container when it is positioned on dry land.

2. The water cannon of claim 1 wherein the closure means comprise,

a connected lever assembly pivotly secured to the top I of the suction inlet tube;

a tie rod pivotly connected to an intermediate portion of th lever having an eyelet at the bottom end thereof;

a flexible connecting link having two ends, one of which is connected to the eyelet of the tie rod;

a counter lever pivotly attached to the container adjacent the bottom thereof and attached to the flexible connecting link;

a water inlet door secured to the counter lever pivotly positioned in alignment with the water inlet; and

sealing means surrounding the periphery of the water inlet door whereby when the door is closed no water will leak from the container.

3. The water cannon of claim 2 further comprising,

a plurality of water inlets adjacent the bottom of the container;

a plurality of flexible connecting links each having two ends, one of which is connected to the eyelet of the tie rod;

a plurality of counter levers pivotly attached to the container adjacent the bottom thereof and each attached to one of the flexible connecting links;

a plurality of water inlet doors each secured to one of the counter levers pivotly positioned in alignment with the water inlets; and

sealing means surrounding the periphery of each of the associated water inlet doors whereby when all doors are closed no water will leak from the container.

4. The water cannon of claim 1 wherein said closure means comprise,

thereby closing the water inlet.

5. The water cannon of claim 4 further comprising a plurality of water inlets;

a plurality of apertures located circumferentially around the circular strip each in alignment with one of the plurality of water inlets; and

sealing means surrounding each of the plurality of apertures.

6. The water cannon of claim 1 further comprising a boat hull having a top and a bottom and forward,

median and rearward portions secured to and surrounding the container below the barrel of the water gun whereby the water gun portion of the water cannon extends longitudinally from the median portion above the top of the forward portion of the boat hull;

seating means for supporting the operator of the water cannon secured to the rearward portion of the boat hull;

manual motive means for propelling the' boat hull through the water secured adjacent to the bottom of the boat hull and operatively positioned forward of the seating means to that the operator may propel the boat forward with his feet;

manual steering means for varying the direction of the boat hull when it is being propelled through the water operatively positioned relative to the water gun, motive means and steering means whereby the operator may operate the water gun while steering and propelling the boat hull; and

wherein the water inlet extends through the bottom of the boat hull. 

1. A water cannon comprising; a container having a top and bottom; an inlet suction tube including a one-way check valve extending from the bottom of said container to the top thereof; a water gun attached to the top of said inlet suction tube comprising; a barrel attached to said inlet suction tube, suction and expulsion means attached to the rearward end of said barrel, a nozzle attached to the forward end of said barrel, a one-way check valve disposed in said barrel forward from the top of the inlet suction tube and rearward of the nozzle; a water inlet located adjacent the bottom of the container for filling the container with water; and internal closure means operatively positioned relative to the water inlet adjacent to the bottom half of the container for closing the water inlet partially extending through the container to effectuate closure so that the water does not leak out of the container when it is positioned on dry land.
 2. The water cannon of claim 1 wherein the closure means comprise, a connected lever assembly pivotly secured to the top of the suction inlet tube; a tie rod pivotly connected to an intermediate portion of th lever having an eyelet at the bottom end thereof; a flexible connecting link having two ends, one of which is connected to the eyelet of the tie rod; a counter lever pivotly attached to the container adjacent the bottom thereof and attached to the flexible connecting link; a water inlet door secured to the counter lever pivotly positioned in alignment with the water inlet; and sealing means surrounding the periphery of the water inlet door whereby when the door is closed no water will leak from the container.
 3. The water cannon of claim 2 further comprising, a plurality of water inlets adjacent the bottom of the container; a plurality of flexible connecting links each having two ends, one of which is connected to the eyelet of the tie rod; a plurality of counter levers pivotly attached to the container adjacent the bottom thereof and each attached to one of the flexible connecting links; a plurality of water inlet doors each secured to one of the counter levers pivotly positioned in alignment with the water inlets; and sealing means surrounding the periphery of each of the associated water inlet doors whereby when all doors are closed no water will leak from the container.
 4. The water cannon of claim 1 wherein said closure means comprise, a circumferential strip which rotatively extends around the inner diameter of the container; an aperture located circumferentially around the circular strip in alignment with the water inlet; sealing means surrounding the aperture; and a peg firmly secured to the circular strip which extends through the water inlet whereby lateral force applied to the peg rotates the circumferential strip thereby closing the water inlet.
 5. The water cannon of claim 4 further comprising a plurality of water inlets; a plurality of apertures located circumferentially around the circular strip each in alignment with one of the plurality of water inlets; and sealing means surrounding each of the plurality of apertures.
 6. The water cannon of claim 1 further comprising a boat hull having a top and a bottom and forward, median and rearward portions secured to and surrounding the container below the barrel of the water gun whereby the water gun portion of the water cannon extends longitudinally from the median portion above the top of the forward portion of the boat huLl; seating means for supporting the operator of the water cannon secured to the rearward portion of the boat hull; manual motive means for propelling the boat hull through the water secured adjacent to the bottom of the boat hull and operatively positioned forward of the seating means to that the operator may propel the boat forward with his feet; manual steering means for varying the direction of the boat hull when it is being propelled through the water operatively positioned relative to the water gun, motive means and steering means whereby the operator may operate the water gun while steering and propelling the boat hull; and wherein the water inlet extends through the bottom of the boat hull. 